performance anxiety
Pre-spotlight dread syndrome
Performance anxiety is nervousness or fear about one's ability to execute a task while being observed or evaluated.
The term applies broadly—to athletes before competition, students before exams, musicians before concerts—but often refers specifically to sexual anxiety, particularly a man's worry about maintaining an erection: He couldn't relax because of performance anxiety.
Habitual task avoidance
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
- cancellationVoiding of plans
excuse-making · self-sabotage · freezing · flight · escape · deflection · choking
Intense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- uneaseMild persistent worry
worry · self-doubt · insecurity · vulnerability · overwhelm · self-consciousness · inadequacy · shame
Involuntary shaking motion
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- hyperventilationAbnormally rapid respiration
shaky · jittery · nausea · blushing · dizziness · stammering · blanking · freezing
Concentrated illumination source
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- curtainsHanging fabric window covers
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
- criticsThose who evaluate work
microphone · backstage · wings · audition · blocking · footlights · monologue · encore
Reasoned decision-making capacity
- criticismJudgment of faults
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
perfectionism · comparison · rejection · failure · mistakes · exposure · high-stakes · competition
Forming mental or graphical images
- meditationFocused attention practice
- beta-blockersHeart rate reducers
- therapyCurative mental treatment
- preparationArranging things in advance
warm-up · grounding · affirmations · ritual · practice · desensitization · relaxation · mindfulness
procrastination
Habitual task avoidance
- withdrawalAct of taking away
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
cancellation · excuse-making · self-sabotage · freezing · flight · escape · deflection · choking
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
unease · worry · self-doubt · insecurity · vulnerability · overwhelm · self-consciousness · inadequacy · shame · embarrassment
trembling
Involuntary shaking motion
- palpitationsAwareness of abnormal heartbeat
- sweatingMoisture through pores
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
hyperventilation · shaky · jittery · nausea · blushing · dizziness · stammering · blanking · freezing · insomnia
spotlight
Concentrated illumination source
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- curtainsHanging fabric window covers
- applauseCollective hand-clapping approval
critics · microphone · backstage · wings · audition · blocking · footlights · monologue · encore · blackout
judgment
Reasoned decision-making capacity
- criticismJudgment of faults
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- scrutinyClose, careful examination
expectations · perfectionism · comparison · rejection · failure · mistakes · exposure · high-stakes · competition · deadlines
visualization
Forming mental or graphical images
- meditationFocused attention practice
- beta-blockersHeart rate reducers
- therapyCurative mental treatment
preparation · warm-up · grounding · affirmations · ritual · practice · desensitization · relaxation · mindfulness · journaling
- Anxietynervousness, panic, worry, dread, uneasiness
- school stresshomework stress, final exams, finals week, academic probation, course load
- teen anxietypeer pressure, self-doubt, nervousness, worry, insecurity
- work problemslayoff, firing, low pay, burnout, deadline pressure
- child distressfear of dark, fearfulness, nervousness, nightmares, panic
- social fearssocial phobia, fear of judgment, fear of rejection, fear of embarrassment, shyness
performance anxietystage presence
Performer's commanding aura
composure · poise · equanimity · serenity · tranquility
performance anxietyflow state
Optimal engagement condition
peak performance · mental clarity · focus · presence · confidence
performance anxietyclutch performance
Success under intense pressure
grace under pressure · rising to the occasion · nerves of steel · fearlessness · boldness
anxiety, performance, performer, performing, performed, performers, performs, outperform, outperforms